St. James Academy

In the past 5 years Divya Shanthi became a centre for the National Institute of Open Schooling [NIOS], a national body set up by the Government of India. Scores of children from poor backgrounds, school dropouts and working children use this programme to work towards a  high school certificates taking one subject at a time and attending classes on one or two evenings a week and on weekends.

The NIOS also offers vocational training in scores of trades. In September 2006, Divya Shanthi launched the St.James Academy and has started offering Vocational Training courses for youth in the following trades:  

   1. Carpentry

   2. Plumbing

   3. Electrician and Wireman

   4. Housekeeping

   5. Cookery and Baking

The Academy is housed in a new facility in New Lingarajapuram area .The land on which the facility is built was given to Divya Shanthi Trust by the State Government the building meant for vocational training was built with part support from Tear Fund Holland.

New Staff have been appointed and six young people are registered for each trade .the trainees will have theory classes for 2 to 4 hours a day and work in the production units for at least 4 hours each day.

The trainees are trained by a master craftsperson who also runs the production .The production units have managers, salespersons and accounts staff.

Course Material and Certification

The course syllabi are provided by NIOS, some course material is also provided. Divya Shanthi is working on producing teacher and students manuals drawing on material from NIOS and other sources .The manuals will have weekly work sheets and use Christian illustrations where possible.

Each trainee will also do a life skills course which will teach a Christian understanding of life and work.

A start has been made with the carpentry syllabus and with assured funding the

Production of manual will accelerate.

The certificate will be given by the National Institute of Open Schooling, Delhi .The successful trainees will have state recognised trade certificates.

The target for the number of trainees per year is 97.

Capital Needs:

We have invested a total of USD 12,000 for tools and equipment for the courses including power tools for Carpentry and fridge/freezer, cookers vacuum cleaners etc for Housekeeping and Cooking courses.

We need another amount of USD10, 000 to get more tools and equipment for the trades for young men.

Addresses:

St.James Academy Training Centre

C.A.Site No.5 Janakiram Layout [BDA layout]

6th Main Road, New Lingarajapuram

BANGALORE 560084    INDIA

Admin Office:

117/3 Sakamma Layout, Hennur Main Road

Lingarajapuram

BANGALORE 560084

India.